National Panasonic TR-425EU “Pandora” – Pop-Up TV Radio – Japan, 1972 – Original TY-199E Adapter A remarkable example of early 1970s Japanese industrial design, the National Panasonic TR-425EU, part of the celebrated “Pandora” family, combines a portable black-and-white television and radio in one compact and highly original object. Produced by Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. and made in Japan, the TR-425EU dates from approximately 1972 and represents the European version of one of National Panasonic’s most distinctive portable television concepts. What makes this model especially fascinating is its architecture. When closed, the television screen almost completely disappears into the body of the set, leaving a relatively low rectangular form resembling an advanced portable radio. Once opened, the CRT rises from the centre of the cabinet and transforms the object into a small television set. This clever transformation explains the nickname “Pandora” often associated with the TR-425 family: the television is effectively hidden inside the cabinet and revealed only when the screen is raised. The result is a compact and sculptural object that perfectly reflects the experimental spirit of Japanese consumer electronics at the beginning of the 1970s. The angular screen housing, brushed-metal surfaces, smoked transparent control panel, chrome details and horizontal analogue tuning scale create a strong visual identity positioned between functional industrial design and the emerging Space Age aesthetic. Period advertising for the American TR-425R version played directly with this surprise concept. One memorable advertisement used the slogan: “Our new portable radio plays FM, AM and W.C. Fields movies.” The advertisement visually emphasised how the object initially appears to be a portable radio, while actually concealing a television screen inside. The present TR-425EU is the European version of the same distinctive design concept. Any photographs of period advertisements, catalogues, manuals or historical documentation shown with the lot are included for illustrative and documentary purposes only and are not included in the sale. DESIGN The most distinctive feature is the folding / retractable television screen. When lowered, the television becomes remarkably compact. When raised, the CRT sits within an angular, almost pyramidal housing that gives the set its unmistakable appearance. Characteristic details include: - retractable black-and-white CRT television screen - telescopic metal antenna - brushed-metal side panels - chrome front trim - smoked transparent control panel - analogue radio tuning scale - integrated front loudspeaker - large rotary television channel selector - MW / FM radio controls - integrated carrying handle - battery compartments underneath - external mains power supply connection The combination of black textured plastic, brushed metal, chrome and the transparent control panel gives the television the unmistakable technological appearance of early-1970s Japanese design. MANUFACTURER AND ORIGIN Brand: National / Panasonic Manufacturer: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Model: TR-425EU Period: circa 1972 Country of manufacture: Japan Made in Japan The identification plate on this example reads: NATIONAL TRANSISTOR TV MODEL TR-425EU DC 12V – 11W MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD. MADE IN JAPAN Serial number: FE 1210405 Technical documentation relating to this model identifies Matsushita operations in Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, while the company’s export organisation operated from Osaka. For historical accuracy, this specific example is described simply as Made in Japan, exactly as stated on its original manufacturer label. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Television: - black-and-white CRT television - approximately 6-inch screen - CRT type: 150ACB4 - 70° deflection - VHF channels approximately 2–12 - UHF channels approximately 21–69 - European CCIR television standard - telescopic VHF antenna - external antenna connection - video IF approximately 38.9 MHz - sound IF approximately 33.4 MHz Radio: - MW approximately 530–1600 kHz - FM / UKW approximately 88–108 MHz - MW IF approximately 455 kHz - FM IF approximately 10.7 MHz Audio: - integrated permanent-magnet loudspeaker - approximately 6.3 cm speaker - maximum audio output approximately 300 mW Power: - DC 12 V - approximately 11 W consumption - mains operation through external National adapter - originally also designed for rechargeable battery operation The original battery system is not included. DIMENSIONS Approximate manufacturer dimensions: Width: 28 cm Height when closed: 14 cm Depth: approximately 30.5 cm The height naturally increases considerably when the television screen and telescopic antenna are raised. Manufacturer literature gives a total weight of approximately 5 kg when fitted with the original rechargeable batteries. As the batteries are not present with this example, the television body itself is lighter. The original technical literature does not appear to provide a separate officially stated battery-free weight, so no exact factory weight without batteries is claimed. ORIGINAL NATIONAL TY-199E MAINS ADAPTER An especially important feature of this particular example is the presence of its original National TY-199E mains adapter. These original external adapters are frequently missing from surviving examples today, making this set considerably more complete from a collector’s point of view. The adapter is not a later replacement. It is the correct National accessory specifically intended for the TR-425EU. The original metal information plate on the adapter identifies: NATIONAL NETZ ADAPTOR MODEL TY-199E The German operating instructions printed directly on the adapter specifically mention the National TR-425EU and explain its use both for mains operation and for charging the original batteries. The adapter retains: - original National branding - original mains cable - original TR-425EU multi-pin connector - original aluminium instruction plate - original German operating instructions Finding a surviving TR-425EU together with its correct period TY-199E power supply is increasingly uncommon. FUNCTIONAL CONDITION The television has been tested using its original power supply. The television section: - switches on - switches off - CRT illuminates - screen produces the classic analogue television raster / static effect - television volume can be increased and decreased The radio section: - switches on - switches off - radio circuitry powers up - volume can be increased and decreased The television was not tested with an analogue television broadcast signal. Modern terrestrial television systems are no longer compatible with the original analogue broadcasting standard for which this television was designed. For this reason, the test confirms the basic operation described above, but reception of an actual television programme has not been tested. The television should therefore be considered a vintage electronic collector’s item, not a modern plug-and-play television. No professional restoration or complete electronic overhaul is claimed. INTERNAL INSPECTION The unit has been visually inspected internally. The internal components appear orderly and complete, with no obvious major missing parts observed during visual inspection. This is a visual inspection only and should not be interpreted as a professional electronic certification or complete technical service. COSMETIC CONDITION The television remains in good vintage cosmetic condition, especially considering its age of more than fifty years. The casing is complete and shows normal signs of age and previous use. There are: - no cracks to the main cabinet - no major structural breaks - normal scratches and age-related marks - normal wear to the transparent / smoked control panel - normal marks to chrome and brushed-metal surfaces - age-related patina consistent with an original vintage object The telescopic antenna is present and extends correctly. The screen mechanism is present and the television can be displayed both in its open and closed configuration. Please study all photographs carefully, as they form an integral part of the description and show the actual cosmetic condition of the item offered for sale. Please also note that colours may appear slightly different depending on screen, monitor, display settings, brightness and lighting conditions. VIDEO OF THE ACTUAL ITEM A video showing the actual item and the functions tested before the sale can be viewed here: https://youtube.com/shorts/H3Rn2O0oxzE The video documents the operation and condition of this exact example prior to shipment. ORIGINAL SERVICE MANUAL A digital PDF copy of the technical / service manual for the National Panasonic TR-425EU is available on request. The manual is not supplied as a physical printed document. After the sale, the buyer may request the PDF and it will be sent by email. The PDF is supplied purely as additional digital technical documentation for the new owner. PERIOD ADVERTISING AND DOCUMENTATION The TR-425 family appeared in period National Panasonic advertising during the early 1970s. Among the best-known advertisements is the American campaign showing the TR-425R version together with the humorous slogan: “Our new portable radio plays FM, AM and W.C. Fields movies.” The campaign highlighted exactly what made the Pandora concept unusual: the transformation from what appeared to be a sophisticated portable radio into a complete portable television. The European TR-425EU was also promoted in period European advertising and is documented in early-1970s National Panasonic literature. Any images of vintage advertisements, magazine pages, catalogues, manuals or archival photographs appearing in the auction photographs are shown solely for historical, documentary and illustrative purposes. They are not included in the lot. A SMALL PIECE OF PORTABLE TELEVISION HISTORY Today it is difficult to appreciate how unconventional a television such as the TR-425EU would have appeared in the early 1970s. At the time, television was still largely associated with heavy cabinets permanently installed in a living room. The TR-425 proposed something very different. The television screen could disappear into the body. The radio was integrated into the same cabinet. The antenna could be folded away. The unit incorporated a carrying handle. Battery operation made the television transportable. The entire object could effectively be closed and carried from one location to another. Rather than simply making a conventional television smaller, National Panasonic reconsidered the architecture of the television itself. That makes the TR-425EU particularly interesting today not only as vintage electronics, but also as a genuine example of early portable-product design. Its combination of ingenious construction, Japanese manufacturing, distinctive appearance and mechanical transformation makes it especially appealing to collectors of vintage televisions, National Panasonic electronics, Japanese industrial design, Space Age objects, early portable electronics and 1970s technology. The presence of the correct original National TY-199E mains adapter makes this example especially attractive and unusually complete.This is an original vintage electronic item that is more than 50 years old. All functions specifically described in the listing have been personally tested before the auction. No function should be assumed beyond those explicitly mentioned in the description. Vintage electronic components such as capacitors, resistors, switches, potentiometers, transformers, CRT components and other internal parts naturally age over time. For this reason, continued future operation cannot be guaranteed in the same way as with a modern electronic product. The item is sold as a vintage collector’s object, with the working functions described and demonstrated at the time of testing. Any future servicing, adjustment, maintenance or restoration that may become necessary due to age should be carried out by a qualified technician. The buyer should never open, repair or modify vintage mains-powered electronic equipment unless suitably qualified. All cosmetic imperfections visible in the photographs are considered part of the description. By placing a bid, the buyer confirms that they have carefully reviewed the complete description, all photographs and the available video showing the actual item and its tested functions. The buyer therefore acknowledges the visible cosmetic condition, the age-related signs of use and the exact functionality specifically described and demonstrated. Colours may vary slightly from the actual object depending on the buyer’s screen, monitor, display calibration, brightness settings and ambient lighting.